Newsmaker: Clinton Slates Slater For Top Transportation Post

<I>Washington, D.C.</I> - Rodney Slater, administrator of the Federal Highway Administration and President Clinton's nominee to be Transportation Secretary, doesn't have experience in the aviation field, but he does bring to his new position one very important credential: a close, personal friendship with the President since the early 1980s.

As the top administration official since 1993 at the FHWA-a DOT unit with a $20 billion budget and an office in every state-Slater has won praise from transportation leaders in Congress and staff members in his agency, who call him smart and hard-working.

Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.), chairman of the House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, which doles out the funds for DOT, said Slater's elevation to the top DOT post is "a natural," while Rep. James Oberstar, ranking Democratic member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said Slater is "a terrific choice."

But the key ingredient is the ready access to Clinton-an avenue that outgoing DOT Secretary Federico Pe&ntilde;a didn't have, and one that is rarely enjoyed by Cabinet members. Like Clinton, Slater is an Arkansas native. He served as Clinton's assistant when Clinton was governor from 1983 to 1987. In 1992, Slater was deputy manager of Clinton's presidential campaign and traveled extensively with the candidate.

When Clinton announced Slater's nomination to the DOT post-a choice that must be confirmed by the Senate-the President described Slater as a person who "has managed large programs with skill and high standards. He has rebuilt and expanded our nation's highways and linked isolated communities to jobs and opportunities. When the Northridge earthquake struck California with such deadly force, Rodney led our effort to rebuild vital highways in record time. He is the right person to help us meet the many transportation needs and challenges we face as we enter the 21st century."

In addition to advising Clinton and the Congress about options for a long-term funding solution for the Federal Aviation Administration, Slater will be faced with a major highway task in 1997. Early this year, Congress will draft a five-year highway and transit bill to reauthorize the Surface Transportation Efficiency Act.